Please we need to stop posting on this thread as there is a new thread for the current challenge which started Friday 7/05. (this one ended on Thurday 7/04) See everone over on the new thread! Anyone can jump in at any time!

So Happy we are continuing this. Lovely & supportive people on here. I had taken my weight on the 5th but my son got married the next day so this is the first I am able to post...it's been just a little crazy.

congratulations everyone! I think we all did a good job! This next 13 week challenge will be my second. I am so excited. The support on this particular page is so wonderful. Good Luck to all, we can do this!

CONGRATS to all the wonderful people who stuck thru this challenge. Whether your goal was made or not, YOU worked to make your goals Happen! See you in the next challenge!

Things do not change; we change. -Henry David Thoreau

A man who WANTS something will find a way. A man who deosn't, will find an EXCUSE" Stephen Dolly

SUCCESS is maintaining your Enthusiasm between Failures"

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving savely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and saying "WOW, what a ride!"

Ten pounds is great - that is the BIG bag of sugar or flour - I am starting my third of these 13 in 13 challenges - and the results have been amazing. The next one is going to be better than ever - don't you think?

With love and caring from Nancy ... wishing all of you a wonderful, blessed, and precious day.

April 1, 2013----------253 April 7, 2013 ---------249 YIPPEE!!! April 14, 2013--------248.5 OK I'll take it! April 21, 2013--------248 YIPPEE!!!!! April 28, 2013------- 248 ok, well it's not a loss, but it's not a gain! May 5, 2013----------248. May 12, 2013--------245.5 YIPPEE!!! May 19, 2013--------245. ok! May 26, 2013--------245. ok! June 2, 2013---------245. dang it! June 9, 2013---------248 yikes, I thought I did well ;-( June 16, 2013-------246 YAY! June 23, 2013-------244 woooohooooo! June 30, 2013-------243 yay! so far a 10 lb. loss emoticon July 4, 2014----------243

I did not make the 13 pounds. But I did lose 5 pounds. I am proud of myself considering I only did have of the challenge. Looking forward to the new challenge. Thanks for all the encouragement and advice!

Even though you did not make the full 13 pounds, pick up something (like maybe a BABY) that weighs the amount you DID lose - carry that around for a whole day regardless of what else you are doing and it will become MUCH MORE REAL that 8 pounds is NOT a small amount. Ask any new mother who has a colicky baby who weighs that much. Your positive attitude really is inspiring because we are all in this together and your encouragement helps the rest of us too.

With love and caring from Nancy ... wishing all of you a wonderful, blessed, and precious day.

to everyone for your dedication and support. I did not make the challenge... 8lbs lost but I am happy that I lost the 8 lbs. I am also looking forward to the next challenge and continuing this journey with my sparkfriends. I have been yoyoing for the past month but I have also been yoyoing with my participation because of work. Summer camp is kicking my behind. But I am still going forward, still motivated and still very happy to be part of this team of awesome sparklers. Happy 4th everybody.

Well everyone... I finished up at 164.7..YIKES..... I ate some really salty food yesterday and am thinking it is water retention. Still been doing my 10000 steps a day and not recording my food like I should. Congrats to all who have done well on this challenge.

203.5 lbs. was my weight Tuesday which is my lowest weight of the challenge. I'm up from that today. I'll post my July 5th weight tomorrow. I wish it could be 203.5 lbs., but I'm afraid I binged and it will not even be close to that. I was 208 lbs. after breakfast this morning. I want to be under 200 lbs. by my reunion the second Saturday of August. It will be a struggle, but if I get focused right now I should make it. I wish all of you much success in the next challenge. I know I'm looking forward to it.

Definitely am ready for the next challenge. Congratulations to all who stuck with the challenge regardless of how much the scales say, the fact you stuck with it IS a big deal. The support has been fantastic

With love and caring from Nancy ... wishing all of you a wonderful, blessed, and precious day.

Congrats to everyone on the challenge - some of you had amazing results. Way to go! Now it is on to the next challenge. Don't forget to check in on the new thread that Irene set up - thanks Irene! For those of you who did not quite get where you wanted to go, or still have goals to reach - the next challenge awaits us! Remember, this is not a competition. The group is here to support each other, offer advice. We are all going through the same things and can offer support or insight, so don't be afraid to ask for or offer support to each other! Have a safe and happy 4th! Noreen

Yipppeeeee! I MADE it - got on the scale and this morning my weight was 267 - DOWN 1.8 pounds from Monday - that makes a LOVELY 14 pounds since April 1st. June wasn't impressive but at least I went down a ENOUGH for the challenge - too bad it wasn't in time to change on the first. LOL My total loss is now is 83 pounds.

With love and caring from Nancy ... wishing all of you a wonderful, blessed, and precious day.

I've been so excited to weigh in today! After such a long weight loss stall and the same 5 lbs. up and down, my body finally decided to give up 3 lbs. of fat to the universe! (I think they're on Mars) Total -8 lbs since 3/26. I'm on day 35 of my own no-butter challenge and it took all this time to shift into gear. All of a sudden -3 lbs. NOT of water weight. I can eat a meal out now and not gain 2 lbs. in sodium etc. by next morning. It stays off. Knew I had shrunk 3" off my waist but hadn't re-measured hips yet. Now 3" off my BUTT, too!! I can confirm what we read a lot around here~ NEVER give up!

This has been a great experience to be a part of everyone's sucesses and struggles. Your honesty has kept me honest and accountable. There is no shame here only friends and support. THANK YOU one and all from the bottom of my heart. Happy 4th!

I will be there on the 5th - ready to start a new challenge. I did well on this one but June was a bust as far as the numbers on the scales - .2 pounds, but I AM gaining muscle and I am working hard - I am hoping for a loss tomorrow on my weigh in - so far 12.2 pounds down and .8 to make it to the goal.

With love and caring from Nancy ... wishing all of you a wonderful, blessed, and precious day.

RuthieT I totally get you. I have too and I have to tell you when this Goal first came out several months ago I loved it and did well. Then speaking only for me, I got distracted and lazy. I am really happy that this is going to kick in again. I did great when I committed to posting on this site. Plus I liked the support, especially seeing other peoples journey. Hope you start up again.

I totally lost it on this one. I thought I had posted last week but can't find a post. I got to 186.6 on Monday,almost 3 lbs down from the beginning of June. I need to focus on these challenges and take them seriously. I have been very distracted lately and have not been keeping up. Have a great 4th everyone!

I'm Ruth and I live in NYC. I love Jazz!

Co-leader Spark New York City-The Official Team

"...come celebrate with me that every day something has tried to kill me and failed." ~Lucille Clifton

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." - CS Lewis

Alisalea - 8 lbs is great and you are done 79 overall - congrats! Sonomomma - great job and on to the next challenge! Mizcaw - I read your blog the other day and great job on losing some inches! Izzy - great job this challenge! Frankie - glad you are having a good week! I am weighing in tomorrow, I won't make the 13, but I am happy with the numbers this time from today's weigh in. Don't forget to go to the new link that Irene set up for us! Noreen

Everyone has done so well! Very proud of all of us. Making lifestyle changes and losing inches is all a part of total permanent weight loss....super important and a huge victory. I weigh in tomorrow but I sneak a peek almost every morning, and this is finally a very good weight loss week for me~the very last week!! So hanging in there is super imprtant. Good job TEAM.

Didn't lose the 13 lbs this time, but came ooohhh so very close. Absolutely happy with the 11.8 lbs that I did lose and am looking forward to meeting the goal next time round. Thank you everyone for sharing your journey toward your healthy self. Reading your posts is always informational and motivational.

I'm still at the same weight as last week, but I lost an inch on my waist and hips since last month. I also learned I'm in better shape then I thought I was. Went kayaking Sunday evening with my line dance teacher. First time for me, and ended up paddling into head winds on the way back to the dock. I figured my muscles would be hurting the next day but they weren't. Guess I'll keep doing what ever it is that's keeping me in shape.

Down 2 lbs! I missed a week of weigh in last week. This has been a great challenge! I am looking forward to the next round. I didn't quite make the 13 lbs, but I was close! We have all worked hard and should be proud of any changes we have made to become healthier individuals! GO TEAM! 4/3 226.6 4/10 223.3 4/17 222.3 4/24 220.9 5/1 220.2 5/8 219.4 5/15 219.0 5/22 218.2 5/29 218.5 6/5 215.8 6/12 216.0 6/19 217 6/26 7/3 215

Thanks Irene! it was really kind! It is so much work, we really need to support each other, I appreciate the "Party"! Good luck in the next challenge, I love being a part of such a great team, and who doesn't love to feel supported. Thanks so much! Have a super day!

April 1, 2013----------253 April 7, 2013 ---------249 YIPPEE!!! April 14, 2013--------248.5 OK I'll take it! April 21, 2013--------248 YIPPEE!!!!! April 28, 2013------- 248 ok, well it's not a loss, but it's not a gain! May 5, 2013----------248. May 12, 2013--------245.5 YIPPEE!!! May 19, 2013--------245. ok! May 26, 2013--------245. ok! June 2, 2013---------245. dang it! June 9, 2013---------248 yikes, I thought I did well ;-( June 16, 2013-------246 YAY! June 23, 2013-------244 woooohooooo! June 30, 2013-------243 yay! so far a 10 lb. loss July 4, 2013

April 1, 2013----------253 April 7, 2013 ---------249 YIPPEE!!! April 14, 2013--------248.5 OK I'll take it! April 21, 2013--------248 YIPPEE!!!!! April 28, 2013------- 248 ok, well it's not a loss, but it's not a gain! May 5, 2013----------248. May 12, 2013--------245.5 YIPPEE!!! May 19, 2013--------245. ok! May 26, 2013--------245. ok! June 2, 2013---------245. dang it! June 9, 2013---------248 yikes, I thought I did well ;-( June 16, 2013-------246 YAY! June 23, 2013-------244 woooohooooo! June 30, 2013-------243 YAY July 4, 2013

Thanks for all the encouragement! I did not loss this week but I did not gain either. Decided to change my weigh in day with the new challenge. Just not comfortable weighing on Mondays.

The interview went very well. Now I am waiting for them to set the next group of interviews. They said that there will be approximately 4 interviews steps. So I am hoping to make all 4 steps and get hired.

IRENE~ that's great about a new challenge! Perfect timing. I'm finally picking up speed on shrinking my omentum. BARB~ like LORNA said, think positive. Praying for you. HI everybody~ see ya'all here on the 4th! Have a blessed week.

Barb - best of luck on your interview! Keep us posted. Dmkoep - doubtful on the 8 lbs in a day,don't we wish. Just keep working on it and stick with us for the next challenge. Kathy - I hope things level out with your work schedule and on the bright side, you lost 8 lbs this challenge! Noreen

Hi everybody, sorry I have been away from the team for about 2 weeks. My schedule at work has me doing different things at different times and I am not able to get on the computer like I use to. It is affect my weight loss as well because now I am going up and down up and down. I feel like a yoyo. I am sure it will level out when I can get some consistancy so right now I am just concentrating on maintaining. I have not had time to read everybodys log recently but I will and get back with you. I miss my family and hope you are all doing awesome stuff. Dont forget me. I am still sparking and doing the job coach and checking in. Thumbs up to you all.

Just checking in to see what everyone has been up to! Tomorrow is my weigh in day and of course I am nervous. I shouldn't be because I burned quite a few calories this week. Can't wait for the next challenge.

Well, off to bed early tonight....I have a job interview tomorrow. Hope they hire me. I've been unemployed for 4 months. This has been long enough!!!

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend as we are closing in on the 4th. I had 2 graduation parties yesterday and a wedding reception today. The good news, my husband is wearing his Fitbit Flex now too and is focused on his 10,000 steps - we went to the gym yesterday and then for a short walk when we got home to make sure we hit 10,000.

I forgot to weigh in - Ed got up before me - THAT NEVER HAPPENS - he was also ready to GO and wanted me to HURRY up and get ready. I decided that since I change my ticker on Monday because it is the first of the month, I will weigh then and do my final weigh in on the 4th as well. The ticker is ONLY changed on the first so I would have weighed 3 times. Since I am not really losing much, AND I am soo happy whether the scale goes down or not I am CLOSE to the 13 and that may just have to do for now. Those other measures were simply such great news it overshadowed my intended weigh in when I got up this morning.

With love and caring from Nancy ... wishing all of you a wonderful, blessed, and precious day.

Happy Saturday!!! It sure was a hot and humid week in TN. But this morning is beautiful. Humidity seems to have subsided a bit. Hope my neighbors aren't too mad at me today. I was up cutting grass at 6:30am today. Lawn looks great. Now time to take a shower! And then I plan on taking a bike ride on the riverwalk! Have a great weekend!!!

Update BEFORE I weigh in tomorrow - I have been a little frustrated about only losing .2 pounds up to this point in the month of June. So, it was slow at the fitness center today so I asked if they would check my BMI and didn't even think it worth checking my body fat percentage because it has read ERROR for years - meaning it is GREATER THAN 50% and thus so fat it can't really be measured. The trainer did it for me and . . . . DRUM ROLL. . . . Since April, I have lost 12.8 pounds, and my current BMI is down by more than 2 points AND my BODY FAT PERCENTAGE IS LESS THAN 50%. That means that of the 12.8 pounds I have lost, at least 10.3 of them were FAT (can't get an exact number because it was MORE THAN 50% - so I simply used 50% to calculate it) So, whether I actually lose anything more by July 4th, I will still be JOYOUS over my results. Will weigh in tomorrow and again on the first and see where I end up. Regardless - this challenge has provided AWESOME support.

With love and caring from Nancy ... wishing all of you a wonderful, blessed, and precious day.

Iamhere - I don't know if you are a morning person or not, but I found that I do alot better if I work out in the morning before work. After a full day of working I didn't feel like exercising so I didn't. So I made a decision to exercise before work and it has proven to have many more benefits for me incuding being alot cooler.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

To see the preciousness of all things, we must bring our full attention to life. (Jack Kornfield)

The things that matter most in our lives are not fantastic or grand. They are the moments when we touch one another. (Jack Kornfield)

If you do not make good use of this free and precious life, What good does it do to possess a human body? (Shabkar)

Instead of looking at it as TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT, it might help to MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES. I have only lost .2 pounds in June and had gains - I also know that my body is getting smaller and I am FEELING better so the focus is off the actual weight loss and more on the choices and habits I am developing. This doesn't help the frustration, but it does help the tendency to get too discouraged and want to quit.

With love and caring from Nancy ... wishing all of you a wonderful, blessed, and precious day.

No need to write words of encouragement to me today. I'm a little frustrated. I was 205 on the scale on 6/25. On 6/26 I was 207.5, and today I'm 209. Back to work I guess. I haven't been trying to hard to lose weight, so that's my problem. I realize this. Right now I just don't wan to gain a lot of weight. Maintaining in this general area is my goal. Congratulations to all that have been successful this week. Keep up the good work. Until next week.

SCARLETBEGONIA4, You have done great! You have 12 off in this challenge! And you've "just" hit a plateau. Stay the course - your body will catch up and you'll soon see scales results. May I suggest you simply tweak what you are doing in a way that usually helps me? Increase your water by a cup or two a day for the next week. And adjust your food - you can keep the same calorie count but increase the protein (like chicken, fish, eggs, lowfat cheese, yogurt). That usually does the trick for me. And, if your clothes are looser you're on the right track!

So frustrated............I cannot seem to lose anything. I don't want to lower calories as I am working out daily and need the energy. My clothes are looser and my daughter says it is because I am gaining muscle which weighs more and not to get so stressed about it. I hope she is right. Have a great week everyone.

A box of rain will ease the pain and love will see you through. The little voice inside your head that says you can't is a liar!

Down 1 this week - which was quite a victory with the stuff I had to deal with. I know we all have stuff to deal with, too! My good news is that I found a new doctor for my plantar fascitis which I have been dealing with for nearly a year. He gave me hope :) And he affirmed the 12 pounds I've lost (7 on this challenge, 5 before). First person to do that!

IAMHERE, I'm with you - I just cant do much heavy exercising in the heat. I am new to yoga, and am amazed at what a workout it is, without a lot of exertion. Could you maybe try it or tai chi? Or even some meditating and deep breathing - keeps the oxygen going to where it is needed to burn the fat.

Everyone - have a good week as we wrap up this challenge!

BTW - I sent an email to SP Support, asking them to put a "like" button (like facebook uses) for these messages. If anyone else thinks that is a good idea, you might let them know. I am so motivated by all of your entries and would love to tell you each that, but sometimes just don't have the time to reply.

Hurray, I lost 4.4 pounds during this challenge and am grateful, even though I wish it were more. I am excited to say that I have kept with it even though it seems like it is moving at a snail's pace.

It is over 100 degrees here, and the reports say it will be hotter tomorrow and hotter still over the weekend. Very muggy. It is so difficult to work out in this heat (no air-conditioning where I work! - so am a limp noodle when the work day is over). Any suggestions?

April 1, 2013----------253 April 7, 2013 ---------249 YIPPEE!!! April 14, 2013--------248.5 OK I'll take it! April 21, 2013--------248 YIPPEE!!!!! April 28, 2013------- 248 ok, well it's not a loss, but it's not a gain! May 5, 2013----------248. May 12, 2013--------245.5 YIPPEE!!! May 19, 2013--------245. ok! May 26, 2013--------245. ok! June 2, 2013---------245. dang it! June 9, 2013---------248 yikes, I thought I did well ;-( June 16, 2013-------246 YAY! June 23, 2013-------244 woooohooooo! June 30, 2013

Hi Team, Gosh everyone is doing great and sticking with this. to all joining in!

I'm down one lb. this week, yay, a total of -5 lbs. since re-joing SP 3 months ago.

I went to the Dr. this morning and he has put me on a program (no meds, stimulants, or special foods) due to my obesity. (at risk for several things). He felt my goal was "too agressive" and wants me to start out by losing 35 lbs. (well, 40, because I started here at 190 but weighed in there today at 185) I agree a goal of 150 for now is good. He said we'll re-evaluate at that time as to what the next step might be. I'm going in for a physical tomorrow and get blood work done after that. So I've re-set my ticker. I'll be doing every challenge we continue on with here~ I told him about SP and he thinks that's great. Me too!! Have a good week-end coming up everyone and be well~

Congratulations to everyone - whether you stayed the same, lost a lot, or are struggling with mini-losses, the fact that you are still here shows that you haven't quit and that is a BIG part of eventually succeeding.

With love and caring from Nancy ... wishing all of you a wonderful, blessed, and precious day.

Hi my name is zelda ,I picked this group back in February when I first started sparkpeople. Since then I have lost 40lbs but I kinda @ a plateau and this July challenge would be great for me to reboot so I will begin this new phase in my journey and I plan to be more active w/ this group !!! Thank you and looking for support and hope to be supportive to another sparkfriend journey That's what the sparkpeople are about ,I couldn't have gone this far without the encouragement!!

YES - look for a message about this soon - it will start on the 5th of July. There is already talk about the one that will follow that as well - the talk is that it may not be an exact 13 weeks because it will end this year - at which time we will make a new plan. The NEXT one is definite though and after that we will see where it goes.

With love and caring from Nancy ... wishing all of you a wonderful, blessed, and precious day.

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